Apparatus for separation



Jan. 17, 1933.

l F. A. QUIROZ APPARATUS FOR SEPARATION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May :51.1929 IN VENT 0R TTORNE Y v2 sheets-sheet 2 V78 F. A. QUIROZ IN VEN TORAPPARATUS FOR SEPARATION Filed May 51, 1929 u 5 W, f WM W Y M B W W 7 W8 l Jan. 17, 1933.

atented el TES TED sr PATENT OFFICE .APPARATUS FOB. SEP a a Applicationled May 31,

' 10 mentioned character which may be carried on in practice in asimple, efficient and reliable manner. Another ob]ect is to provide amethod of the above-mentioned character for achieving high elliciency ofseparation and for removing solid matter from a li uid with constantuniformity. Another object is to provide a separating apparatus thatwill be of sim le and thoroughly practical construction, t orou hly deendable action in practical use, and capable of effecting separation ofsolid matter from a liquid with a high degree of efficiency, uniformityand speed. Another object is to provide a separating apparatus of ruggedand inexpensive construction and well adapted to meet the varyingconditions of hard practical use. Another object is to provide aseparating apparatus with means for dependably and efliciently removingtherefrom the separated constitu- 3@ ents and particularly for removingthe solid matter or particles with a minimum or-no admixture of liquid.Another object is to provide an apparatus for separating a liquid fromsuspended solid matter or particles by the action of centrifugal forcein which the mixture of solid matter and liquid may be supplied to theapparatus without disturbance of the actionlof the apparatus and whilemaintaining continuityand uniformity of 'separation'. Another object isto prdvide a separating apparatus of the above-mentioned character inwhich `the removalA of one of the constituents is automaticallycontrolled by the constituent to be removed. Another object is `toprovide a separating apparatus of the above-mentioned character in whichcentrifugal forces may be dependably and ref liably lutilized not onlyfor effecting a separation of the mixture into its constftuents, butalso for dependably and uniformly con- TION 1929. Serial No. 367,406.

trolling the extent or rate of removal from the apparatus of a separatedconstituent in accordance with a predeterminable degree of isolation ofthe constituent from the mlxture. Other objects will be in part obviousor in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,:combinations of elements, arrangementsl of parts and in the severalsteps and relation and ordery of each of the same to one or more of theothers as will be illustratively described herein, and the scpe of the aplication of which will be indicated in the f )ollowin lclaims..

In the accompanying rawings in which are illustrated several of variouspossible embodiments of the mechanical features of my invention, y

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a separating apparatus, certain partsbein shown in vertical central cross-section in or er to show theconstruction of the separating apparatus more clearly;

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional1 view of the separatinapparatus as seen along the line 2-2 of/ igure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of a preferred form ofconstruction of separating apparatus, and n Figure f4 is a verticalsectional view as seen along the line 4.-4 of igure 3,

Similar reference charact rs refer t'o similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings. l Referring now to the drawings and moreparticularl to Figure `1, there is shown at 10 a suitable ase car 'ng atits left-hand end avsuitable source'o drlving power illustratively shownin Figure 1 as taking the form of an'electric'motor 11. The motor 11 isrovided with a driving Vshaft 12 supporte in suitable bearings 13 and 14'carried by the motor frame. f

The driving shaft 12 extends into a suitable enclosure or casing formina chamber generally indicated at 15; the c amber 15 is made up of acasing member generally indicated at 16 and shaped to provide an outerperipheral substantially circular wall 1'?, a I

similar wall 18 of lesser radius and an end wall 19. The peripheral wallmembers 17 and 18 are connected by a vertical wall member 20. 'lhecasing member 16 may conveniently take the form of a casting open at itsbottom as at 21 and 22, the openings 21 and 22 registering with openings23 and 24 in the base 10. 'llhe left-hand wall of the chamber 15 (asviewed in Figure 1) may be made up of a plate 25 suitably secured to thecasing member 16 and to the base 10, the plate 25 being provided with asuitable opening throng which the driving shaft 12 extends into thechamber 15.

rlhe driving shaft 12 has mounted thereon to rotate therewith aseparating vessel generally indicated at 26; this vessel 26 ispreferably of substantially cylindrical shape, being provided with acircular end wall 27 preterably cast integrally with a hub 23 into whichthe shaft 12 extends and'is securely connected therewith. Upposed to theend wall 27 is a circular end wall 29 connected with the end wall 27 bymeans ot the peripheral or ring-like wall 30. rllhe end wall 29,however, is provided with a preferably centrally disposed opening 31.

'lhe separating vessel 26 is so proportioned with respect to the partsforming thechamber 15 that the end wall 29 is in substantial alinementwith the wall 20, the latter being extended into-the chamber 15 andbeyond the peripheral wall 18, as at 32, to closely encompass thecircular periphery of the vessel 26 while permitting free rotation oithe vessel 26 with respect to the casing member 16. rlhere is thusformed between the end wall 29 and the extended wallportion 32, on theone hand, and the peripheral wall and the end wall 19 of the casingmember, on the other hand, a chamber generally indicated at 33,

the latter being in communication with the interior of the vessel 26 byway of the opening 31 in the end wall 29 and being in communication withthe discharge opening 24 in the base 10 by way of the opening 22 formedat the bottom of the casing member 16 and between the wall members 32and 19.

Formed on the outer face of thewall 19 is 1 a funnel 34 for supplying amixturefoitI li uid and solid material to the apparatus; the ottom otthe funnel 34 is in communication with a pipe 35, carried by the wall19, and extending in substantial alinement with the axis of rotation ofthe vessel 26 into the interior of the latter. The pipe 35 is ofmaterially less diameter than that .of the opening 31 in the end wall29, thus leaving an ample area of the opening 31 for a purpose to 'bemore clearly described hereinafter.

Mounted within the interior of the vessel 26 and with its axiscoincident with the axis vot rotation of the vessel 26 is asubstantially conically shaped baille 36, the side walls of which arepreferably slightly curved. The baille 36 is open-ended and into itssmaller end extends the ipe 35, the relation between these two partseing such as to permit free rotation yof the bae 36 (with the vessel 26)relative to the pipe 35. lts larger or lett-hand open end is held spacedfrom the wall member 27 by a series of spacers 37 (see also Figure 2)through which pass the screws 36 for securing the baille 36 in place..

The peripheral or ring-like wall 30 of the vessel 26 is provided with asuitable number ot apertures 39 shown in Figure 2 as eight.

in number; it is to be unders, however, that any other suitable numberoit apertures 39 with associated mechanism to be hereinafter moreclearly described, may be used it desired and that themechanism orapparatus associated with each is preferably of identical construction.lnto each aperture 39 is tted a tube-like member 40, the axis ot whichex tends substantially radially (see Figure 2) and whose outermostannular end tace is adapted to coact with a valve mechanismgenerallyindicated at 41 (see Figure 1).

rlllhis valve mechanism 41 includes a valve' member 42 ot substantiallycap-like shape and carrying on the inner tace thereof a dislr otsuitable packing material 43, for coaction with the outermost end of thetube-like member 40. The valve mechanism 41 is pivoted upon a pin 44fixedly supported b peripherally spaced ears45 and 46 (see igure 2),formed upon the vessel 26.

Preferably integrally formed with the valve member 42 and extending atsubstantially 45 with respect thereto, but on the other side of the ivot44, is a threaded extension 47 upon which is threaded a weight 48. The.

weight 48 preferably is in the form a ring or collar, internallythreaded to mate with the threads on the extension 47. The threadedconnection between the members 47 and 48- permts the latter to be movedor adjustably positioned toward or away from the axis of the pivot pin44, for a purpose more clearly described hereinafter. Any suitable meansmay be used to lock the weight member 48 in the position into which ithas been moved with respect to the member 47 illustratively a set screw49 (Figure 1) may be used for this purpose.

Considering now the manner of use of the apparatus for carrying out theprocess ot this invention, it is first to be noted that the motor 11 isset into operation to rotate the vessel 26 at a suitable speed. Thespeed of rotation may vary according to various practicalconsiderations, foremost among which is the character and physicalproperties of the solu- 1 tion or mixture to be separated intoitsliquidmixture 1s supico contacts with the baille 36, the centrifugalforce elfective upon the mixture, due to the relatively high speed ofrotation of the apparatus, causes the mixture to be relatively evenlydistributed peripherally of the baiiie 36 and, due to the increasingradius of the latter, the centrifugal force causes the mixture to movealong the baffle 36 in a'general direction toward the left, as viewedin- Figure l, as well as also in a general direction radially oroutwardly away from the axis of rotation of the vessel 26. In thismanner the mixture is gradually and uniformly supplied to the outerannular portion of the chamber 26 in which the mixture accumulates to aradial depth equivalent to the radial dimension of the wall 29. InFigure 1, the depth of the mixture is clearly indicated by dotted lines.

Prior to the supply of mixture to theapparatus, the Weights 48 on thethreaded stems 47 of the valve mechanisms 41 are adjusted in apredetermined way. In operation, with the apparatus runningsubstantially without any mixture supplied thereto, the weight or massto the left of the pivot pins, as viewed in 'Figure l, is greater thanthe weight or mass of the parts of the valve mechanism to the right ofthe pivot pins 44; the rotational effect, due to the subsequent rotationof the apparatus, is therefore greater upon theA parts 47-48 than it isupon the parts 42-43, so that centrifugal force is effective to swingthe valve mechanisms in aperture-closing position and thereafter holdthem in such position.

The subsequent supply of mixture to the apparatus, however, will be sento impose upon the valve member 42 a column of the mixture Whosecross-section is substantially equal to the area ofthe aperture\40, thecolumn extending, as will be clear from Figure 2, with its axissubstantially coincident with a radius. The adjustment of the weights48,

however, is such that the centrifugal4 action is still effective to holdthe valves closed even though the centrifugal action on theabovementioned column of the mixture has now been added in opposition tothe centrifugal action upon the parts 47-48. That is, the weight of theparts to the left of the pivot pins, as viewed in Figure 1, is greaterthan theweight of the parts' of the valve mechanism to the right of thepivot pins plus the Weight of the above-mentioned column of the mixture,assuming that the masses or weights to either side of the pivot pinshave substantially equal effective lever arms. With this adjustment, thevalve mechanisms are maintained in a position where the apertures 40 areall closed.

However, as the rotation of the apparatus continues, the centrifugale'ect on vthe particlcs suspended in the liquid is such that they becomemore and more concentrated about the eripheral portions of the vessel 26and, in act, due to this centrifugal action, the concentration ordensity of the solid particles in the liquid increases with increase inthe distance from the axis of rotation. Solid matter thus becomesconcentrated in the apertures 40 and as this concentration proceeds, theweight or mass of the above-mentioned column increases `so that theunbalance of the centrifugal forces acting upon the two sides of thepivot pins of the valve mechanisms becomes reversed with the result thatthe valvemechanisms swing in valve-opening direction. In Figures L and 2the valve mechanisms are shown in approximately the position they assumewhen this unbalance of centrifugal forces is reversed.`

The opening of the valve mechanisms permits the solid matter orparticles to escape, centrifugal force in eHect making certain that theyare thrown free and clear of the rapidly rotating vessel 26. Moreover,the valve mechanisms thereafter automatically adjust themselves topermit a predetermined rate of escape of solid particles from therotating vessel 26, it being pointed out that the escape of liquidmatter throuvh the apertures 40 is practically precluded because theadjustment of the weights 48 is preferably such that the valves are heldclosed as long as there is not a substantial concentration of solidparticles adjacent the valve members 42.

The valve mechanisms thus automatically assume positions to give a valveopening adequate to effect dischargel of solid material at substantiallythe rate at which the solid l material is centrifugally separated out ofor segregated from the liquid within the rotating vessel 26. Forexample, should the solid particles and the liquid, which together formthe mixture, be of'such character as to cause a relatively slowseparation of the solid material from the liquid, the rate at which thesolid particles are concentrated -agalnst the valve members 42 iscorrespondingly -less and likewise, also, the rate at which theunbalance of the centrifugal forces on the valve mechanisms takes placeis diminished with the result that the valve openings are smaller.rIhus, the rate of discharge of separated solid matter can be made tonicely^equal the rate at which the separation takes place.

It might also be noted that should the character of the mixture suppliedto the apparatus through the funnel 34 vary, for example, in thepercentage content of solid particles, the apparatus automaticallyadjusts itself tofthese varyingconditmns and e'ects greater or lesser,Valve openlngs 1n accordance with the greater or lesser -percentagecontent of solid matter in the liquid being supplied to the apparatusfor separation into its constituents.

It ispreferred to placenas any apertures 40 and coacting valvemechanisms about the de aaeatao peripheryof the vessel 26 as possibleand the eight apertures and associated valve mechanisms shown in Figure2 are to be understood as being for purposes of illustration only; themore apertures and valve mechanisms that can be accommodated about theperiphery of the vessel 26, the more uniform and rapid will be theaction and operation ot the apparatus. At appropriate points spacedperipherally about the exterior of the vessel 26 are provided baffleplates 50 shown in Figures 1 and 2 as two in number, butit is to beunderstood that a baille plate may, it desired,

be placed between any two successive valve mechanisms. The bame platefacts to diminish the effect of the wlndage on the balance or unbalanceof thel valve mechanisms, it being noted that the peripheral velocity ofthe latter is substantial and that the windage eects may becorrespondingly of substantial proportions. Thus, it is insured thatcentrifugal forces, determined by the concentration of separated solidmatters, determine the opening of the valve without interference fromexternal eects, such as windage, tor example. The-llames 50 also act toprevent the accumulation ot solid particles about the inside peripheryof the casing 16 and insure the movement ot the solid materialdischarged from the vessel 26 toward and through the Idischarge passage23 in the base 10 of the apparatus.

lin connection with the action and operation of the valve mechanisms, asabove described, another feature of great advantage comes into play; ithas been pointed out hereinabove that the threaded arm 47 of the valvemechanisms extends at an angle of substantially 135 to the1 valve member42. As the forces above described become edective to cause a valveopening, the center of mass of, the parts 47-48 is moved in a direction,due to the angular relation just described, so that the moment arm ofthe mass of the parts lll-4:8 slightly increases. This increased momentarm is the moment arml through which, of course, the centrifugal forceacts, and the arrangement results in preventing overstepping ot themechanism in valveopening direction and insures such a nicety of controlthat there is achieved great preciv sion in therate'of discharge ofsolid material from'the apparatus. a

The liquid within the rotating vessel 26 becomes freed trom solidparticles at those portions of the body of the liquid that are nearestthe axis of rotation, and as the mixture is continued to be supplied tothe apparatus through the funnel 34, pipe 35 and balile 36, this clearliquid constituent of the mixture overflows, as 1t were, through the endopening 31in the end wall 29 of the'vessel 26, being centrifugallydischarged into the chamber 33, whence it passespout through the dis`ycharge conduit 24.

The action of the bame 36, during the rotation and operation of theapparatus, is such as to prevent discharge of themixture with in thevessel 26 undergoing separation, the mixture being supplied to thevessel throughout its entire peripheral extent. Thus, eddy currents andthe like are prevented and interference with the separating actionprevented.

llt will be understood, in view of the foregoin that the degree ofunbalance normally ac ieved by the weight 48 may be varied in accordancewith various factors met with in practice. For example, the density orweight per unit volume of the solid matter intended to be separated outot the liquid may in practice vary widely. W'here the density is low itis preferable to move the weights 4:8 inwardly tow ard the axis aboutwhich the valve mechanisms 41 pivot in order that the separated solidmatter may have a less valveclosing force to overcome while, on theother hand, it the density of the particles is relatively greater, theweights 48 may be moved in the opposite direction or away from the pivotpins all. ln this manner the apparatus may be quickly adjusted to suitthe varying conditions ot practical use.y By the same adjustment, it ispossible readily to predetermine how great a quantity ot solid particlesneed be concentrated against the valve mem- 'ber 4:2 in order to edect avalve opening vfor the discharge thereof; this factor may also inpractice vary in accordance with various conditions or requirements tobe met.

ln Figures 3 and 4 ot the drawings ll have illustrated a preferredembodiment of my invention and in these two figures ll have illus-`trated an apparatus adapted to have a greater capciy than the apparatushereinbetore descri e l The apparatus is mounted uponabase52 to f whichis bolted a generally circular casing c generally indicated at 53; theupper part 53 lot the casing is preferably removable to peruare?suitably formed to receive therein antitriction, bearings 56 and 57,respectively, suitable means, such as the end plates 58 and v59,respectively, acting, in cooperation with the rotating members carriedby the bearings., to substantially encase or ,house the latter. K l

Supported within the casing` 53 and rotata 1y carried by the bearin s 56and 57 is a separating vessel 60 prefera lyY of drumlike or cylindricalshape; the left-hand end wall 61 of the vessel 60 is formed to provide ahollow trunnion 62 to which the inner race of the anti-friction bearing56 is secured..

The right-hand end wall 63 of the vessel 60 has secured thereto andcoaxial with the trunnion 62 a shaft 64 which passes through iao necesa@the end wall and has the inner race oi? the anti-friction bearing 57secured thereto. lhe shatt 6a is of sucient length to have securedv'thereto and carried thereby at its outer end a driving pulley 65.

A series of annular or ring-like partitions 66, 67, 68, 69 and 7()divide the interior of the vessel into a series of annular separatingchambers A, B, C, D, E and lll", lJVhile only six such chambers areshown in the drawings, it is to be understood that the number ofchambers may :be decreased or increased, as desired, or as may berequired by practical conditions of use,

71Ehe peripheral wall of each chamber A, B, C, etc., is provided with aseries ci apertures 40, each having associated therewith a tubelilremember 39 with which Vcoacts the valve member l2 of a valve mechanism ilpivotally carried between ears d5 and d6 formed upon the drum 60.

The detailed construction of these parts, as well as their action ispreferably substantially similar to the construction and action 'i cithe corresponding parts hereinabove describedin detail with respect toFigures l and 2 and they need not, therefore, be further described` inconnection with this preferred embodiment of my invention,

The apertures d() and coacting valve mechanisms f' peripherally arrangedabouteach separating chamber A, B, C, etc., are preferably closelyspaced and, as in 'the case oil the embodiment illustrated in Figures land 2, they are preferably suiiicient in number so that the valvemembers l2 constitute substantial portion oi the peripheral supportingwall of each separating clmmber,l lin Figure these parts are shown astive in number but it is to be understood that this number may bevaried, and that these parts are preferably more numerous 'than liveuThe mixture to be separated into its liquid and solid constituents issupplied to the apparatus through a pipe 7l, the rate ci dow beingcontrolled by a valve 72; the pipe 7l extends through the hollowtrunnion 62 into the Viirst separating chamber Ai, a generallycone-shaped but preferably curved baille 36 being mounted in the chamberA. and lacting similarly tothe bame 36 of Figure l to receive themixture from the pipe 7l and distributed, centrifugally, to the outerend portions of the separating chamber A, without causing turbulence oreddy 'currents in the mixture undergoing treatment in chamber A,

Y The construction, mounting and action ot the baille 36 are the same asdescribed in connection with Figures l and 2.

'lhe radial depth ol mixture undergoin treatment in each of theseparating` chambers A., B, C, etc., is determined by the radialdimension of the adjacent annular wall or partition 66, 67, 68, etc.,respectively, the mixture, after undergoing separating action in oneagainst the valve members t2, the corre- -s sponding valve mechanisms 4lof which act, as described in detail in connection with Figures l and 2,to achieve and maintain a sumcient valve-opening to cause the dischargeof solid matter from each chamber at substantially ythe rate at whichthe concentration of solid matter in that particular chamber tes place.llt is to be noted, however, that the concentration of solid matter ineach individual chamber need not be as great or as substantial as may bethe case with the construction shown in Figures l and 2, for afterleaving one separating chamber, such as chamber A, the mixture is passedv into chamber B but only alter a predeterminable amount of solid matterhas been removed therefrom in chamber A. Thus, successive separatingaction taires place as the mixture overflows Jfrom one chamber to thenext, the percentage content of solid particles in the mixturediminishing progressively as the last separating chamber iF isapproached or reached.

I The liquid component, now free from solid material, discharges throughthe apertures 73 in the end wall 63, a circular Harige 74 on the latterguiding the liquid component into a circular housing 7 5, mountedinteriorly of the casing 53, whence the liquid component is dischargedthrough the outlet 76.'

By means of the weights d8 associated with each valve mechanism 4l, thevalve mechanisms of each separating chamber A., B, C,

Mill

etc., may be given the same adjustment so as i to require the samedegree of concentration ot solid particles in order to effect ormaintain a predetermined valve opening, or these valve mechanisms may begiven such an adjustment as will require a diii'erent degree of conncentration of solid matter in successive chambers. For example, themixture entering chamber A. has, of course, a far greater perwtha lesserrate of discharge of solid particles since, in subsequent stages orseparating chambers, the rate of separation of the solid particles isless, due to the diminishing percentage content of solid matter in theautomatically maintain substantial mixture as the linal separating stageor chamber is reached or approached. rlhus, a. nicely graded action ofthe apparatus may be rea ily achieved, it being noted that once thecentrifugally controlled valve mechanisms l1 have been set for apredetermined action, they the corresponding action or control.

lt will thus be seen, in view of the foregoing, that a wide variation ofthe action ofl the successive separating chambers 'may be achieved andthat the widely varying conditions of practical use may be readily met.`

llt might at this point also be noted that, instead of maintaining suchya flow of mixture to the apparatus (by control of the valve 72) as willcause a very definite successive-treatment of a given quantity of themixture, first in one chamber and then in the next, as has been abovedescribed, the rate of How of the mixture may be varied (as by controlof the valve 72), that the time interval allotted to each unit volume ofthe mixture for treatment in each successive chamber may be variedthrough wide limits. rlhus, diminishing the rate of flow of mixturethrough the ipe 71, correspondingly diminishes the rate of dow of thematerial undergoing treatment from one chamber to the next and causeseach portion to be subjected to a greater time interval of centrifugalseparating action in each chamber. lncreasing the rate of flow throughthe pipe 71 has the reverse edect and hence diminishes the time intervalof centrifugal separating action to which a unit volume is subjected ineach stage. By this means, also, the varying conditions of practical usemay be readily met.

Between adjacent valve mechanisms 41 (see Figure 4) are provided bames50 which prevent windage from adecting the action of the centrifugallyactuated valve mechanisms.

The solid particles, discharged centrifugally and peripherally under thecontrol of the chamber mechanisms 41, all as the drum or vessel 6()rotates at an a propriate speed, are thrown against a drum 77 which isrotatably mounted within posed between the latter and the rotatingvessel 60, as is better shown in Figure 4. The drum 77 is ofsubstantially the same axial length as the vessel 60 and is rotatablysupported in any suitable manner, preferably by means of suitable pairslof axially spaced rollers 78; there are preferably three pairs ofrollers 78 suitably distributed about the periphery of the drum 77 andsuitably supported by the base 52 and the casing 53.

As is clear from Figures 3 and 4, the drum 77 has its axis displaceddownwardly from the axis of the vessel 60 so as to provide a spacebetween the lower part of the drum 77 and the lower portions of therotating separating vessel 60. The drum 77 is rotated in clockwisedirection, as viewed in the-casing 53 and is inter- ,y

Figure 2, at preferably a very slow rate compared to the rate ofrotation of the separating vessel 60, and as the drum 77 rotates itcarries the separated solid matter, thrown against its interiorsur-tace, into the above-mentioned enlarged space between the drum 7 7and the vessel 60; in this enlarged space there is fixedly positioned ascraper 79 against the right-hand face of which, as viewed in Figure ll,the solid particles accumulate. A. spiral conveyor 80 extends along theright-hand face of the scraper 79, as viewed in Figure Il, and rotatesin a directionto move the separated solid matter in a direction from theright to the left, as viewed in Figure 3, so that it may be dischargedthrough the discharge opening 81 formed in the base of the apparatus52..

Any suitable means may be utilized to rotate the conveyor drum 77 and todrive the spiral conveyor 80. By way of illustration, l have shown aworm 82 mounted upon the trunnion 62 and meshing with a worm wheel 83which is thus made to drive, at a. relatively low s eed, a verticalshaft 8a, the latter being suita ly mounted preferably exteriorly of thecasing 53. j

At its lower end the shaft 84C carries a spiral gear 85 which mesheswith and drives a spira-l gear 86 mounted upon the shaft 87- whichcarries the spiral conveyor 80. 'lhe shaft 87 extends lengthwise of theapparatus and is mounted in suitable bearings preferably formed in thecasing 53.

At the right-hand end of the shaft 87 the latter carries a spur gear 88which meshes with an internal gear 89 suitably formed or secured uponthe right-hand end of the drum 77. The housing 7 5 has secured to it adisklike member 9() (see Figure 3) which overlaps an inwardly directedange 91 associated with the drum 77 and positioned adjacent the, gear89. Thus, though the drum and flange 91 rotate with respect to the fixeddisk 90,'

the flange 91 and disk 90 prevent solid sepa- )l rated particles ormaterial from reaching the gears 88--89.

While the construction described, is generally suficient forsubstantially perfect-separation of the mixture introduced therein, itmight happen that one valve will open before the others, as by reason ofa slightly different adjustment of its weight, or greater concentrationupon its surface. Should this occur the tendency might beproduced of 1lill clearly shown in the drawings, and divide the space interiorly ofand adjacent each of said apertures from the similar space about theother apertures, thus providing a series of pockets into vvbich themixture is distributed by the cone-shaped baffle 36. This constructiontherefore ensures uniformly eilicient separation at all times and underall conditions of operation.

lt will thus be seen that there has been provided in this invention amethod and apparatus for e'ecting rapidly and With a high de` gree ofeciency the separation of a mixture of solid particles and a liquid intoits respective constituentsa lt will further be noted that the apparatusis of thoroughly practical construction and action, is simple andcompact and of highly dependableand eflicient action in practical use.lt will also be seen that the method may be readily carried on inpractice and achieves highly efcient results. Moreover, it is also to benoted that the varying conditions of practical use may be readily met.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the mechanical features ofthe above invention and as the art herein described might be varied invarious parts all Without departing from the scope of the invention, itis to be understood that all matter hereinabove set forth or shown inthe accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrae tive and notin a limiting sense.

Having novv particularly described and ascertained the nature of myinvention and in what manner the same is to be performed, il declarethat what l' claim is:

l.. ln apparatus of the character described, in combination, a rotatablymounted container, means for driving said container, a plurality ofdischarge openings spaced apart about the periphery of said container, aplurality of valves for closing said openings, each mounted upon saidcontainer exteriorly thereof in operative relation to its respectiveopening, and a plurality of baffles provided upon the inner peripheralsurface of said container and positioned to form a pocket adjacent eachdischarffe opening'.

2. ln apparatus for separating solids from a liquid mixture, incombination, a ro tatably mounted container for receiving a mixture andWithin which separation of the solid constituent takes place bycentrifugal force, said container having a plurality of pockets formedinteriorly of the peripheral ivall thereof, openings in said Walladapted to discharge from said pockets a separated constituent of saidmixture, and means operable by ,centrifugal force for automaticallycontrolling the discharge from said openings,

the centrifugal force act-ing alsoupon material in'said pockets, andmeans ad'ected by centrifugal force and presenting a fixed opposition tothe opening of said discharge openings.

3. ln apparatus for separating solids from a'liquid mixture, incombination, a rotatably mounted container having a plurality of pocketsformed interiorly of the peripheral Wall thereof, openings in said Walladapted to discharge from said pockets a separated constituent of saidmixture, means operable by centrifugal action for controlling thedischarge from each of said openings, and means for preventing aircurrents caused by the rotation of said container from adverselya'ecting the operation of said discharge controlling means.

d. ln apparatus for separating solids from a liquid mixture, incombination, a rotatably mounted container for receiving a mixture andwithin which separation of the solid constituent takes place bycentrifugal force, said container having a plurality of pockets formedinlteriorly of the peripheral wall thereof, openings in said Walladapted to discharge from said pockets a separated const'tuent of saidmixture, means controlling the discharge from each of said openings, amixture inlet for said container, means associated therewith adapted tofurnish a uniform supply of the mixture to said pockets, and outletmeans provided in a wall of said container adapted to dischargetherefrom the residue of said mixture and maintain ay substantiallyconstant radial level Within said container.

5. ln apparatus for separating solids from a liquid mixture, incombination, a rotatably mounted drum, a rotatably mounted containerdisposed Within said drum and provided With openings for dischargingseparated solids against the interior surface of said drum, means forcausing said drum and said container to rotate independently of oneanother, means for collecting said solids, and means for dischargingsaid solids from the drum.

6. ln apparatus for separating solids from a liquid mixture, incombination, a rotatably mounted drum and means to rotate it at a lowrate of speed, a rotatably mounted container disposed Within said drumthe axis of said container being parallel to the axis of said drum andpositioned above it, means for driving said container at a relativelyhigh rate of speed, means for discharging separated solids from saidcontainer at a rate determined by the degree of concentration thereofand directing them against the interior of said drum, and meansextending Within said drum beneath said container for collecting anddischarging said solids from said drum.,

7. ln apparatus for separating solids from a liquid mixture, incombination, a rotatably mounted drum, a rotatably mounted containerdisposed Within said drums, means for chambers for discharging separatedsolids,V

i said driving said container at a relatively high rate,l of speed,means for discharging separated solids from said container ata ratedetermined by the degree of concentration thereof, anddirecting themagainst the interior of said drum, and rotatable means extending withinsaid drum for discharging Vsaid solids from said drum, means for drivingsaid rotatable means, and cooperating means on said drum and on saidrotatable means for causing rotation Aof said drum at a relatively lowrate of speed.

8.` ln apparatus for separating solids from a liquid mixture, incombination, a rotatably mounted container provided with an axiallyd-'sposed inlet for the'admission of the liquid mixture thereto, aplurality of annular partitions disposed at spaced distancestransversely of the interior of said container, said partitions servingto provide av plurality of separating chambers within said container,and to determine the radial level of the mixture Within said chambers, aplurality of discharge valves arranged in spaced relation about theperipheral walls of each of said means controlling said valves toprovide a determinable degree of separation in each of said chambers,and means for discharging the residual liquid from one of said chambers.

9. 1n apparatus of the character described, in combination, a rotatablymounted container having a peripherally disposed discharge opening,means controlled by a condition of the liquid within said container forcontrolling the discharge of a separate constituent 'through saidopening, a drum about said container for receiving the c onstituentdischarged from said container, means for relatively slowly rotatingsaid drum, a batlie substantially contacting with the interior surfaceof drum to collect the material rcarried thereby, and conveyor means forremoving collected material from said drum and adjacent said baffle.

10. ln apparatus of the character described, in combination, a rotatablymounted container having a peripherally disposed discharge opening,means controlled by a condition of the liquid within. said container forcontrollin the vdischarge of a separated constituent through saidopening, a drum about said container for receiving the constituentdischarged from said container, means for relatively slowly rotatingsaid drum, and means for removing material discharged onto the innersurface of said drum.

l 11. ln apparatus of the character described, in combination, arotatably mounted container having a peripherally disposed dischargeopening, means controlled by a condition of the liquid within saidcontainer for controlling the discharge of a separated constituentthrough said opening, a drum about aangaan said container for receivingthe .constituent discharged from said container, means for relativelyslowly rotating said drum, and conveyor means coacting with the innersurface of said drum for removing material collected thereon in adirection substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of said drum.

12. lin apparatus of the character described, in combination, containerhaving a peripherally disposed discharge opening, means controlled by acondition of the liquid Within said container for controlling thedischarge of a separated constituent through said opening, a drum aboutsaid container for receivingthe constituent discharged .from saidcontainer, means for relatively slowly rotating said drum, and arotatable helical conveyor blade for removing material collected on theinner surface of said drum. i

13. lin apparatus of the character described, -in combination,arotatably mounted container having a peripherally disposed dischargeopening, means controlled by a condition of the liquid within saidcontainer for controlling the discharge of a separated constituentthrough said opening, a drum about said container for receiving theconstituent discharged from said container, means including speedreduction mechanism for rotating said drum relatively slowly withrespect to the rotation of said container, and conveyor means driven bysaid mechanism for removing material collected on the inner surface ofsaid drum.

14. A1n apparatus of the character described, in combination, adrum-like container adapted to be rotated at relatively highspeed andhaving upon its interior a plurality of annular walls sub-dividing thecontainer into a plurality of annular pockets, each pocket a rotatablymounted i.,

having at least one discharge opening in the wall of said contalner, andmeans responsive to a function of the speed of rotation of saidcontainer and to a condition of the liquid being operated upon forcontrolling the discharge of a separated constituent through thedischarge openings, said annular Walls being of such a radial extent asto permit the' overflow of liquid from one pocket, after being operatedupon therein, to an adjacent pocket, whereby progressive separation ofthe mixture into its constituents takes place.

15. ln apparatus of the character described, in combination, a drum-likecontainer adapted to be rotated at relatively high speed and having uponits interior a plurality of annular walls sub-dividing the containerinto a plurality of annular pockets, each pocket having at least onedischarge opening in the wall of said container, means responslve to afunction of the speed of rotation of said conill tainer and to acondition of the liquid being operated upon for controlling thedischarge of a separated constituent through the distemps@ chargeopenings, said annuler Weils hein i such a redini extent as to permitthe oie1low of liquid from one pocket, after being o eiated upontherein, to nn adjacent poc et9 s whereby progressive separation of themixture into its constituents takes piece, Ineens for receiving materialdischarged from the openings in seid pockets, end means for 1removingdischarged materiel from seid receivw ing means.

in testimony whereof, have signed my name to this speciication this 27thday of May, 1929.

FRANCISC L @02. E

